Deputy Director, Court Reporting, Interpreting and Scheduling - Columbia, United States - State of South Carolina

Description

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB), invites applications for Deputy Director, Court Reporting, Interpreting & Judge's Scheduling. This position is located in Court Services.

The Deputy Director Court Reporting, Interpreting & Scheduling supervises the judges' scheduling, court reporting, and court interpreting sections, and other staff as directed.

Assists with managing the Office of Court Services in the absence of the Director.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Oversees supervision and management activities of the Judges' Scheduling, Court Reporting, and Court Interpreting sections of Court Administration. Oversees the review and processing of job applications in areas of responsibility. Works with other offices within the Judicial Branch to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the circuit and family courts. Coordinates regularly with the Judges' Scheduling and Court Reporting sections to assist with ensuring all terms of court are covered on a weekly and daily basis. Signs orders relating to the scheduling of the terms of court.
• Oversees the SC Court Interpreter Certification Program, and any revisions/improvements to that program. Works closely with the Court Interpreting Manager, Director of Court Services, and the State Court Administrator to improve the statewide program which delivers interpretation services to litigants and other stakeholders who are involved in the scheduling and use of interpreters in the 46 counties across the state for all levels of court.
• Oversees the preparation of statewide schedules for Circuit and Family Court at 6-month intervals. Distributes newly released 6-month schedule to stakeholders across the state. Makes recommendations to the Chief Justice concerning chambers weeks and Chief Administrative Judges for the Circuit and Family courts. Distributes contact information and start dates to other groups within the Judicial Branch as well as the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. Oversees the maintenance and retention of accurate information concerning the schedule, and contact information for circuit and family court judicial offices. Oversees the maintenance of start dates and other personal information concerning the judges of the Circuit and Family courts on internal database. Prepares monthly report of work history of active retired judges for Chief Justice's approval and signature, and forwards the reports to F&P.
• Monitors legislation with an emphasis on bills affecting the deputy director's areas of responsibility, and communicates necessary information to staff, judges, and other stakeholders. Implements changes which affect areas of responsibility brought by legislation. Collaborates with other state agencies impacted by legislation, and responds to questions concerning legislation. Assists assigned court services staff in preparing fiscal impact statements relating to areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for the management of court reporters and court monitors in the field throughout the state. Management responsibilities include addressing any issues or problems related to job performance of existing staff as well as issues which may arise concerning staff who have separated from SCJB. Prepare and submit to the State Court Administrator Rules to Show Cause as necessary concerning disciplinary issues of court reporters and court monitors, and works with State Court Administrator on related legal issues. Oversees the maintenance/updating of the Court Reporter Manual. Supervises the handling of challenges to the accuracy of transcripts.
• Reviews and approves summary of reports for Chief Justice concerning Matters under Advisement for Circuit and Family Court Judges. Reviews reports and makes inquiries when requested concerning specific cases in which no final order has been issued. Maintains MUA records for 6 years. Approves out of state travel on behalf of the Chief Justice as required by the SC Code of Laws and Court Rules. Oversees preparation of quarterly report for the Chief Justice concerning out of state travel (AA assists as requested). Maintains 6 years of records for out of state travel for all Circuit and Family Court Judges.
• Responds to requests from Solicitors, the SC Attorney General and circuit wide CAJs to assign exclusive jurisdiction or CAJ duties to a single judge for all State Grand Jury matters, Death Penalty GS and PCR matters, conflict cases, and other cases as deemed appropriate by the Chief Justice. Provides suggestions and recommendations to the Chief Justice concerning these special appointments.
• Attends meetings and hearings as directed to assist in the development, implementation, and communication of policies and procedures impacting the Judicial Branch. Fields substantive procedural and legal questions within areas of responsibility. Conducts legal research and assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. Reviews and responds to phone calls, letters, and other inquiries from the public, inmates, legislators, and other government or court-related entities. Assists in drafting and reviews correspondence between staff and stakeholders, assist in and reviews the drafting of rules, procedures, forms, orders, and other documents. Drafts Orders, forms, and other legal documents.
• Oversees the meetings and work of the Chief Justice's Advisory Committees for both (1) Court Reporters and Court Monitors, and (2) Court Interpreters. Participates as an active member of the Virtual Courtroom working group.
• Directly Supervises an Administrative Coordinator, Judge's Scheduling Coordinator, Court Reporting Manager, and Court Interpreting Manager. Indirectly supervises 5 Staff Interpreters, 2 Court Reporting Supervisors, an Administrative Assistant, and all court reporters statewide.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and
• Five (5) years of related work experience, admission to practice law in the State of South Carolina, and
• A member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS


Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the laws of South Carolina.
• Practical experience in state trial courts.

Skills:

• Strong management and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and writing skills are necessary.
• A high degree of independence and discretion is expected for most job functions.

Ability to:

• Operate a computer and use the Internet and basic software programs to include Excel and PowerPoint.
• Work in an autonomous environment with excellent leadership and supervisory skills.
• Advise the Court Administrator of any problems, concerns or recommendations regarding court services matters.
• Overnight travel required for conferences, training, or special projects.

Considered "essential personnel" during an emergency.

Preferred Qualifications

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Experience working with the trial courts and good organizational and administrative skills.
• Advanced writing skills are required.

Additional Comments


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children;
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll);
• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year;
• 15 days paid sick leave per year;
• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave;
• 13 paid state holidays;
• Paid Parental Leave; and
• Workers' Compensation Benefits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, or disability.